CH 609 Special Topics in Church History

Non-Western Church History

The Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology
June 10 28, 2013
Instructor: Dr. Finn Aaseb Rnne

The course is shared with Fjellhaug International University College (FIUC) in Oslo and
Copenhagen and thus students from both EGST and FIUC are enrolled. This syllabus applies to
students from EGST. There is a separate syllabus for students from FIUC.

Course Description
The evangelical churches in Ethiopia are partners and actors in the international mission work.
Today Ethiopians are serving as missionaries in different parts of the world. The implication of this
is two-fold: There is a need for those in charge to be well-informed about the situation of the
churches all over the world, including the history of Christianity in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Secondly, the situation calls attention to the fact that the history of the church in those parts of the
world is not as often implied in traditional church historical scholarship to be considered as a
result of Western missionary enterprise.
This course, therefore, will expound the history of the church in the non-Western world,
focusing on how Christianity was transmitted to, and integrated into, new cultures in the Middle
East, Africa, Asia, Australasia, the Pacific and Latin America. And while also dealing with the
Western Catholic and Protestant missions, special attention will be given to the role and importance
of local agents. In the Middle East, Africa and Asia this includes a focus on the history of the
Oriental and Orthodox churches. In addition to their contribution to the churchs mission, the
contribution of non-Western churches to Christian theology in general, and to mission theology in
particular will be expounded. Also within the EGST curriculum the course will thus expand the
scope of church historical studies.
Special importance will be placed on the inter-relationships and interaction between the
historical development of the Church in the non-Western world, its theology and its mission on the
one hand, and the social, cultural and political context of that development on the other. This is also
to sharpen the students understanding of the processes and issues involved in contextualizing the
Christian church and its message. In addition, consideration will be given to: the rise and fall of
Western imperialism, the relation between mission and Western colonialism, the interaction
between the mission and missionaries on the one hand and the indigenous Christians and churches
on the other, the significance and implications of translating the Bible into local languages and the
rise of Pentecostalism.
In the course historical texts will be used and discussed in order to describe and explain the
historical process and the issues involved. Therefore a short introduction to historical methods and
source criticism will be given at the beginning of the course.
Finally, the students will select an area for individual studies and use relevant historical
sources when describing and explaining the historical development and the issues involved.

CH 609 Special Topics in Church History: Non-Western Church history

Course Objectives
On completion of this course the students are expected to be able to
Outline the main features of the global history of Christianity;
Demonstrate a detailed insight into the history of the church in certain parts of the nonWestern world;
Use written sources when describing and explaining the historical development of the
church and the issues involved;
Assess the contribution of non-Western Christians and churches to the theology and mission
of the global church;
Reflect critically on key issues associated with Western mission to the non-Western world;
Use insights gained from the history and experience of the church in the non-Western world
to analyse the issues surrounding the contextualisation of the Biblical message and the
Christian church and to develop his or her competence in that process;
Apply in his or her cross-cultural service, insights from this course into the spread of
Christianity in the non-Western world and its interaction with local societies and cultures.

Course Materials
The reading assigned for this course has been compiled in a Reader by Finn Aaseb Rnne. The
reader, consisting of approximately 630 pages of textbook material and historical sources, are
available at EGST contact the Registrar.

Course Load
The work load for this 3 credit interterm-course is expected to be the same as for a similar course in
the regular semesters, i.e. approximately 38 hours in-class (2.5 hours per day in 15 days) and 113
hours out-of-class studies, which makes on average 50 hours work each week. To accomplish this is
a challenging task, which necessitates, during these three weeks, reducing other commitments to an
absolute minimum.
Every effort should be made to keep up with the assigned reading which is on average c. 45
pages a day, all in all approximately 675 pages. Included is an individual reading syllabus of
approximately 35 pages textbook material and 10 pages of historical sources related to an area for
special studies that the student choose and that is going to be presented for the class. It is highly
recommended to read part of the syllabus reading in advance of the course, e.g. the textbook
material from Hastings, Adrian (ed.). A World History of Christianity (London: Cassell 1999).
A rough estimation of time for preparations and readings is as follows: Preparations for the
quiz are 5 hours, the special studies and preparation for the class presentation 30 hours and
preparations for the final exam 25 hours. This means that approximately 53 hours are allotted for
the assigned reading of the c.675 pages and for the students to pursue their own interests within the
course.

Assignments
The following assignments are required in order to pass the course.
Reading and class discussion of the texts
Readings of the textbook material and the historical sources (compiled in the reader) assigned on a
given date are to be completed before the class of that day. Students are expected to contribute
meaningfully to class discussions of the texts. Your participation in discussions in class will be 10%
of your final grade.

CH 609 Special Topics in Church History: Non-Western Church history

Quiz
There will be a quiz at the beginning of the third week to test your comprehension of the material
covered in the course to that point. The quiz will be comprised of short answer questions of fact.
The quiz will be 10% of your final grade.
Class Presentation
Each student select an area for individual studies and find approximately 35 pages textbook material
and 10 pages of historical sources related to that area. The selected area of study and the connected
reading syllabus is to be approved by the instructor and the studies presented in class (20 min.
presentation). In addition a written prospect of the presentation of max. 1 page must be submitted to
the class and the instructor the day prior to the presentation. The presentation will be 30% of your
final grade.
Final Exam
There will be a final exam to test your comprehension of the material covered in the whole course.
The final exam will be an essay question where a subject related to Non-Western church history is
to be expounded starting from an analysis of some of the relevant historical sources discussed
during the course. The final exam will be 50% of your final grade.
The assignments are compulsory.
With regard to the three last-mentioned assignments: If any of them are missed, it will be
handed in to the Registrar who will, after consultation with the Dean of Studies, decide upon the
penalty to be applied and set a new date for the assignment. It is also possible for a student to
request for an extension in advance. All requests for extensions must be submitted in writing to the
Registrar, setting out the exceptional circumstances which have led to your request and the length of
extension you think you need. Employment, ministry responsibilities or minor illness (ie of one or
two day duration) prior to the quiz, the presentation and the exam are not considered valid reasons
for extensions and you must plan your work taking that into account. The Registrar will consult
with the Dean of Studies and inform the student as to if and how much extension has been granted.
If an extension is granted or if the circumstances leading to the missed assignment are considered
valid, then there will of course be no penalty applied.
With regard to the first-mentioned assignment related to attendance of class, see attendance
policy below.

Student Conduct
Because EGST is a community of maturing Christians from various church traditions we will
respect one anothers views and opinions as we participate in class and out of class discussions. In
this course this applies especially as the class will consist of persons from very different cultures
and various parts of the world. Concerning plagiarism, cheating, absence etc. this course refers to
the general rules of EGST handed out to the students by the school. Plagiarism or any other method
of claiming anothers work as ones own will be dealt with severely according to academic policies
detailed in the EGST Policy and Programmes Handbook.

Grading
The grading is assessed in line with the Grading Matrix and Policies in EGST Policy and
Programmes Handbook.
Expectations with regard to written tests refer to the policies outlined in the EGST Policy and
Programmes Handbook.

CH 609 Special Topics in Church History: Non-Western Church history

Criteria for grading of assignments relate closely to the course objectives for the quiz
especially those referring to knowledge, for the presentation and the final exam in addition those
referring to skills and competence.

Course Schedule
Each day the teaching will be from 9.00 to 12.15 p.m., incl. tea break, 10.00-10.30, and another
shorter break.

Monday, June 10:

Introduction of instructor and students
Introduction to the course
A short introduction to historical methods and source criticism

Tuesday, June 11:

Themes in Western Mission to the Non-Western World.
Textbook:
Bosch, David J. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission (American
Society of Mission Series 16; Maryknoll NY: Orbis Books 1991), p.252-255; 284-313; 327339. (Reader p.2-25)
Sources:
- Serving both soul and body by Bartholomus Ziegenbalg.
- Mission and colonialism by David Livingstone.
- Plant churches by Rufus Anderson.
- Mission and the millennium by J. Hudson Taylor
- Three-Self principles by Henry Venn.
- Establishing apostolic plan churches by Roland Allen.
- Evangelize the world by John R. Mott.
Thomas, Norman E. (ed.). Classic Texts in Mission and World Christianity (Maryknoll, N.Y.:
Orbis Books 1995), p.46-47; 67-71; 74-77; 82-84; 207-209. (Reader, p.26-30)

Wednesday, June 12:

Africa.
Textbook:
Hastings, Adrian (ed.). A World History of Christianity (London: Cassell 1999), p.192-237.
(Reader, p.31-53)
Sources:
Delgado, M., Koschorke, K., Ludwig, F. (eds.). A History of Christianity in Asia, Africa and
Latin America, 1450-1990: A Documentary Sourcebook (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company 2007), p.142-153; 172-181; 184-190; 194-198; 204-206; 217-219; 221226; 255; 260-261; 267-270. (Reader, p.54-82)

Thursday, June 13:

Africa (continued):
Walls, Andrew. The Cross-Cultural Process in Christian History (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis
Books 2002), p.136-154. (Reader, p.83-92)

Friday, June 14:

Africa (continued):

CH 609 Special Topics in Church History: Non-Western Church history

Walls, Andrew. The Missionary Movement in Christian History. Studies in the Transmission
of Faith (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books 1996), p.111-118. (Reader, p.93-97)
Abebe Kifleyesus . Cosmologies in Collision: Pentecostal Conversion and Christian Cults in
Asmara. African Studies Review - Volume 49, Number 1, April 2006, p.75-92. (Reader, p.98115)

Monday, June 17:

From the Middle East to East Asia.
Textbook:
Skarsaune, Oskar. Church History as seen from Bangkok. (Hong Kong 1991). p.71-145.
(Reader, p.116-191)
Sources:
- First mission to China. Excerpts from the Nestorian Monument.
Thomas, Norman E. (ed.). Classic Texts in Mission and World Christianity (Maryknoll, N.Y.:
Orbis Books 1995), p.11-12. (Reader, p.307)
- St. Thomas Christians in India
a. Testimony of the Italian traveler Nicolo Conti (1415-1439).
b. A Syrian Document from c. 1504.
- Nestorians and Armenian Christians in Southern Asia.
- Jews and Christians in China.
a. Jews in Kaifeng: The Stele of 1489.
b. Matteo Ricci on the Jews of Kaifeng (1605)
c. Matteo Ricci on the Remnants of Chinese Christianity (1605)
Delgado, M., Koschorke, K., Ludwig, F. (eds.). A History of Christianity in Asia, Africa and
Latin America, 1450-1990: A Documentary Sourcebook (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company 2007), p.3-7. (Reader, p.192-194)

Tuesday, June 18:

India:
Textbook:
Hastings, Adrian (ed.). A World History of Christianity (London: Cassell 1999). p.147-191.
(Reader, p.260-282)
Sources:
Delgado, M., Koschorke, K., Ludwig, F. (eds.). A History of Christianity in Asia, Africa and
Latin America, 1450-1990: A Documentary Sourcebook (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company 2007), p.7-18; 24-29; 31; 36-38; 41-43; 45; 49-67; 80; 85-87; 89-94; 9799; 101-103; 109-111; 113-116; 123; 134-135. (Reader, p.194-259)

Wednesday, June 19:

India (continued):

Thursday, June 20:

China and its neighbours
Textbook:
Hastings, Adrian (ed.). A World History of Christianity (London: Cassell 1999). p.369-415.
(Reader, p.283-306)
Sources:
Delgado, M., Koschorke, K., Ludwig, F. (eds.). A History of Christianity in Asia, Africa and
Latin America, 1450-1990: A Documentary Sourcebook (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans
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CH 609 Special Topics in Church History: Non-Western Church history

Publishing Company 2007), p.13-14; 18-24; 30-36; 38-41; 44; 46-49; 57-58; 62-65; 67-84;
87-89; 94-97; 99-100; 104-109; 112-113; 116-136. (Reader, p.194-259)

Friday, June 21:

China and its neighbours (continued)

Sunday, June 23:

Instructors birthday-party.
Further details to be announced.

Monday, June 24:

Quiz
China and its neighbours (continued)

Tuesday, June 25:

Australasia and the Pacific:
Textbook:
Hastings, Adrian (ed.). A World History of Christianity (London: Cassell 1999). p.508-536.
(Reader, p.308-321)
Latin America
Textbook:
Hastings, Adrian (ed.). A World History of Christianity (London: Cassell 1999). p.328-368.
(Reader, p.322-342)
Sources:
Delgado, M., Koschorke, K., Ludwig, F. (eds.). A History of Christianity in Asia, Africa and
Latin America, 1450-1990: A Documentary Sourcebook (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company 2007), p.329-334; 339-340; 357-366; 397-400; 408-411. (Reader, p.343359)

Wednesday, June 26:

Latin America (continued)

Thursday, June 27:

Presentations of individual studies 20-30 min. to each student.
The Coming of Global Christianity:
Textbook:
Jenkins, Philip. The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity (Oxford: Oxford
University Press 2002). p.79-139. (Reader, p.360-390)

Friday, June 28:

Questions
Evaluation of the course
Final Exam

Attendance Policy
Policies as given in the EGST Policy and Programmes Handbook will be rigorously followed. Absence
from class is occasionally inevitable but you need to note the following points.

CH 609 Special Topics in Church History: Non-Western Church history

1. If students miss more than 3 classes then no mark for that course will be recorded.
2. If students miss 3 classes then their mark will drop by 1 grade.
3. Late arrival or early departure (ie by 20+ mins ), for whatever reason, will count as missing
half a class.
4. Minor illnesses or emergency appointments are accounted for in that although students are
expected to attend all classes, there is no penalty for missing 1 or 2 classes where the reason
given is good.
In the case of major illnesses or other genuinely exceptional and valid circumstance which must
be agreed by Faculty council students may be permitted to undertake extra work in order to
compensate for up to 6 missed classes. If you think you come into this category, please talk to the
Registrar.

Instructor Availability
The instructor is available on normal working hours (not evenings or weekends) and can be reached
on his cell-phone: 0921925469.

Bibliography
All books to be found at EGST
Bosch, David J. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission (American Society
of Mission Series 16; Maryknoll NY: Orbis Books 1991)
Coakley, John W. and Sterk, Andrea. Readings in World Christian History (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis
Books 2004)
Delgado, M., Koschorke, K., Ludwig, F. (eds.). A History of Christianity in Asia, Africa and Latin
America, 1450-1990: A Documentary Sourcebook (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company 2007).
Dussel, Enrique. The Church in Latin America 1492-1992 (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books 1994)
Hastings, Adrian. The Church in Africa 1450-1950 (Oxford: Oxford University Press 1994)
Irvin, Dale T. and Sunquist, Scott W. History of the World Christian Movement. Volume I: Earliest
Christianity to 1453 (Edinburgh: T&T Clark 2001)
Irvin, Dale T. and Sunquist, Scott W. History of the World Christian Movement. Volume II: Modern
Christianity from 1454-1800 (Maryknoll NY: Orbis Books 2012)
Jenkins, Philip. The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity (Oxford: Oxford
University Press 2002)
Latourette, Kenneth Scott. A History of the Expansion of Christianity I-VII
Moffett, Samuel Hugh. A History of Christianity in Asia: Beginnings to 1500 (Maryknoll, N.Y.:
Orbis Books 1998)
Moffett, Samuel Hugh. A History of Christianity in Asia: 1500 To 1900 (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis
Books 2005)
Spickard, Paul R. and Cragg, Kevin M. A Global History of Christians (Grand Rapids: Baker
Akademic 2005)
Sundkler, Bengt and Steed, Christopher. A History of the Church in Africa (Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press 2000)
Sunquist, Scott W. (ed.). A Dictionary of Asian Christianity (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co. 2001)
Walls, Andrew. The Missionary Movement in Christian History. Studies in the Transmission of
Faith (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books 1996)
Walls, Andrew. The Cross-Cultural Process in Christian History (Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books
2002)
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